No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 421 



proacked. At present we do not regard the introduction of the 

 Starling as beneficial to the interests of the farmers, as we believe 

 that this bird has the possibility of proving to be a serious pest in 

 grain fields without adequate returns for insects eaten. We hope 

 this suspicion may not be fully confirmed, but time and careful study 

 can only give us the correct answer. 



During the past year your Ornithologist has delivered no less than 

 ten illustrated lectures upon Birds, using colored slides, which were 

 apparently appreciated by the audiences. He has also issued sev- 

 eral publications upon the economic features of our birds, the last 

 being his Monthly Bulletin for December, 1905, dealing with the 

 Flycatchers. He regrets that it has been found necessary to re- 

 duce the amount and expense of public printing, and in so doing, 

 the Quarterly Zoological Bulletins were curtailed. However, such 

 ornithological facts as have been published in the Quarterly Bulle- 

 tins of the Division of Zoology will be continued in the Quarterly 

 issues of the Zoological Monthly Bulletin. Within a few months 

 one number will contain a full discussion of the economic features 

 of the Crow, Blackbirds and Jays. As we need help in the form of 

 specimens to study in the preparation of this important publication, 

 we here invite all members of this Board and their friends to send 

 us such specimens of the Crows and Jays as they may be able to pro- 

 cure during each month of the year and also Blackbirds during the 

 season when they can be legally shot. These may be sent by express 

 to us at Harrisburg, at our expense, or by mail when postage will 

 be refunded. Always attach the name of the sender and the date 

 and locality when the specimen was killed. Since the fundamental 

 object of these studies is the examination of the stomach contents, 

 living birds are not desired. We also wish to request all interested 

 persons to send such other species of birds as they may find dead 

 or be able to collect legally without sacrificing valuable life for this 

 particular purpose. 



We wish to urge members of this Board to make all possible ob- 

 servations upon the habits of birds in their regions, respectively, 

 particularly in regard to their economic features or their relation 

 to mankind, and report the same to us in writing. If members from 

 the different portions of the State would co-operate in making such 

 observations and reports, it would not be difficult for your Orni- 

 thologist to prepare an annual report that would really be a valuable 

 synopsis of the ornithological conditions, especially in regard to agri- 

 culture, within the State during the preceding year. 



The CHAIRMAN: You have heard the reading of the report. 

 What is the pleasure of the meeting? 



It was moved and seconded that the report be placed on file. 



Agreed to. 



MR. HERR: Mr. Chairman, the Committee on Credentials have a 

 supplementary report to make. We have received the credentials 

 of H. H. Hall, of Potter county, and find them correct, and I move 

 that he be admitted as a member for three years. 



The CHAIRMAN: You have heard the Report of the Credential 

 Committee. What action shall be taken? 



